Charles Dickens never wrote about adopting from Russia, though his stories featured plenty of orphans. Still, I am tempted to sum up the year 2007 in Russian adoptions by borrowing from the opening of one of his greatest books, "A Tale Of Two Cities":

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything... more

In case you haven't noticed, there's a presidential election coming up in the United States. Many voters have litmus tests by which to judge the candidates. Mine is healthcare reform. But if, as someone who has adopted from Russia or is preparing to adopt from that country, your measuring stick is a candidate's policy on Russia, The Washington Post has a piece that might interest you. (Only two candidates have so far come out with positions on adoption, former New York... more

Russia's population continued to fall in 2007, but the decline was slightly less than the drop in 2006. According to the RIA Novosti news agency, Russia's population had fallen by 207,600 to 142 million as of November 1. Citing the government's statistical service, it said that there had been an 87.9% jump in immigration to Russia, with most of the newcomers coming from former Soviet republics. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been working to improve Russia's demographics with measures like increased maternity... more

Tuesday, December 4 was Gotcha Day for Chris, Danica and their new twin daughters, adopted in Perm. It was a long time between trip one and trip two, but the girls were home in time to celebrate Christmas. As new parents, Chris and Danica may not have much free time to blog about their adoption journey any more, but you can read all about how they got to their happy conclusion here. Congratulations!

One funny note about how small the world of Russian adoptions can... more

Forget that old saw about March going out like a lion because December is going out with a big, big bang: Seven more adoption agencies have received their accreditations!

I got a call yesterday from Kathy Burul, director of the Russia program at Teaneck, N.J.-based Homestudies & Adoption Placement Services, that it had been invited to pick up its certificate at the Ministry of Education today. She couldn't have sounded happier if she had tried.

The latest group, all dated December 24, includes two agencies from the... more

It's not going to be Christmas in Russia for almost another two weeks--Christmas is January 6 on the Orthodox Church's calendar. But given that a Russian Christmas feast is a twelve-course event--one course for each of the apostles--you might need to start cooking early.

Russia isn't the only place that has a large number of courses for a special occasion meal. I grew up in a household that followed the southern Italian tradition of seven fishes (and seven times as much garlic) on Christmas Eve. But planning and cooking 12 courses can be daunting,... more

The biggest news this week was, by far, Russia's re-accreditation of 12 more adoption agencies. The group, which included nine agencies based in the United States, brings to 26 the number of American agencies re-accredited.

Time magazine chose Russian President Vladimir Putin as its man of the year for 2007. In explaining its choice, the magazine noted that "Russia is central to our world--and the new world that is being born." It added that "if Russia succeeds... more

Who cares about finding a Wii for Christmas when there are this many accreditations popping?

Yesterday, I told you that I had confirmed the re-accreditation of six agencies. I've got six more definites today, plus two that have been signed but are not yet on the Ministry of Education's list of decrees and one that has cleared all of the necessary Russian government agencies and is back at the MoE for signature. Yes, that only adds up to 15, and as I noted yesterday, Marshall Williams, the vice president of international adoptions and family services at Gladney... more

It's a safe bet that any American who was working on an adoption in Russia in 2005 knows the name Peggy Hilt. On July 1, 2005, she beat a two-year-old girl that she and her husband had adopted from Russia so severely that the child died the next day. Peggy Hilt was sentenced to 19 years for second-degree murder.

Her story, and that of Nina, the child she murdered, is back in the news now because of a profile in the Dec. 17 issue of Newsweek magazine, "When Adoption Goes Wrong".

Hilt isn't looking... more

Folks,

A quick post to say YES, the rumor you are hearing is true. A new batch of adoption agencies will be getting their accreditation from the Ministry of Education on Friday, December 21.

There is nothing on the MoE's database yet, but I have confirmed this news with six American agencies so far today. I have calls out to two dozen more, and another dozen or so more calls to make.

How many more agencies could be involved? Maybe another 10, but according to one agency representative I spoke with today, they may not all be from the United... more